How To Wash Curtains Without Ruining Them

The label tells you three important things. Whether the curtains can be machine washed, the maximum temperature they can handle, and if they’re dry clean only. If it says dry clean only, off you go to the dry cleaners. Washing them at home can cause shrinkage, colour bleeding, or damage to any lining or coating.

If the label allows machine washing, look closely at the temperature. Curtains are rarely meant to be washed hot. Most are fine at 30°C on a gentle cycle. Higher temperatures can shrink fabric or distort the shape, especially with lined or pleated curtains.

You might also see symbols for ironing or tumble drying. If tumble drying isn’t allowed, air drying is the safer option. Hanging curtains back up while they’re slightly damp usually gets them to fall back into shape without heavy creasing.

No label at all? That usually means older curtains or custom-made ones. In that case, treat them as delicate. Cold water, a gentle cycle, and a mild detergent are the safest starting point. If the fabric feels heavy, stiff, or textured, hand washing or professional cleaning is often the better choice.

Cotton and polyester curtains are the easiest to deal with. These are usually safe to machine wash on a gentle cycle, as long as the care label agrees. They tend to hold their shape well and don’t shrink as easily as natural fibres.

Linen curtains need more care. Linen can shrink and is a pain when it comes to creases if washed incorrectly. Cold water and a gentle cycle are essential, and air drying is strongly recommended.

Sheer or voile curtains are lightweight but fragile. They can usually be machine washed, but only on a delicate cycle and ideally inside a laundry bag. These fabrics can snag easily.

Velvet or heavy textured curtains don’t belong in a washing machine at all. Water can flatten the pile and leave uneven marks. These are usually better hand washed or professionally cleaned.

• Start by taking everything off the curtains. Remove hooks, pins, tiebacks, and any detachable headings. Leaving these in can tear fabric or damage your washing machine.

• Take the curtains outside and give them a good shake. This gets rid of loose dust and grit, which helps prevent that yucky grey, muddy water effect during washing.

• Check for stains, especially near the bottom edges and along the top where hands tend to grab. Treat any marks with a pre-treatment stain remover before washing rather than hoping they’ll come out in the machine.

• If the curtains are very dusty or haven’t been washed in years, consider a quick cold rinse before the main wash. This helps avoid redepositing dirt back into the fabric.

• Lastly, avoid cramming them into the drum. Curtains need space to move. If they’re large or heavy, wash one panel at a time for the best result.

Always choose a gentle or delicate cycle. Curtains don’t need a heavy wash and too much agitation can distort the fabric or damage linings. Set the temperature to cold or 30°C unless the care label clearly says otherwise.

Use a mild detergent and keep the amount small. Curtains aren’t usually heavily soiled, and too much detergent can leave residue or stiff patches once they dry. Avoid bleach and fabric softener, as both can weaken fibres and affect how curtains hang.

If the fabric is lightweight or sheer, pop the curtains in a large laundry bag to protect them from snagging. For larger curtains, wash one panel at a time for better results and to reduce creasing.

Keep the spin speed low. A fast spin can leave deep creases that are hard to remove and might even stretch the fabric while it’s wet.

Once the cycle finishes, take the curtains out immediately. Leaving them sitting in the drum encourages creases and damp smells. At this point, they’re ready for drying, which matters just as much as the wash itself.

Again, first step is to check the care label. Some ringed curtains are marked as machine washable, others are not. If machine washing is allowed, protecting both the fabric and your washing machine is the priority.

The safest option is to place the curtains in a large laundry bag. If you don’t have one big enough, a pillowcase works well. Tie the open end of the bag/pillow case securely so the rings can’t escape during the wash. This stops the rings banging against the drum and reduces the risk of tearing the fabric or getting stuck somewhere in your machine.

Use a gentle cycle with cold or 30°C water and a mild detergent and keep the spin speed low.

If the rings are very heavy, decorative, or already showing signs of rust, hand washing is the safer choice. Metal rings can chip, rust, or mark fabric if they’re knocked around in the machine.

Fill your bathtub or large basin with cold or lukewarm water. Add a small amount of mild detergent and mix it through the water before putting the curtains in. Keep away from hot water, as this is where shrinkage usually happens.

Lower the curtains into the water and gently move them around with your hands. There’s no need to scrub or twist the fabric. Let them soak for about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how dusty they are.

After soaking, drain the water and refill with clean water to rinse. You may need to rinse more than once to remove all detergent and mucky water. Take your time here. Leftover detergent can leave streaks or stiff patches once the curtains dry.

When it’s time to remove the water, don’t wring the curtains out. This can stretch and distort the fabric. Instead, gently press the water out or support the weight of the fabric as you lift it from the bath.

Once rinsed, the curtains are ready to dry properly, which makes a big difference to how they look when they go back up.

Air drying is the safest option for most curtains. If possible, hang them back up while they’re still slightly damp. The weight of the fabric helps them fall into shape naturally and reduces the need for ironing later.

A few simple tips that make a big difference:

• Avoid direct heat from radiators or fires. This can cause uneven drying and shrinkage.
• Dry curtains in a well ventilated space to prevent damp smells.
• If drying outdoors, choose a shaded area. Strong sunlight can fade colours, especially on lighter fabrics.
• Make sure curtains are fully supported while wet. Heavy curtains can stretch if left hanging over a narrow rail.

Tumble drying is only suitable if the care label clearly allows it. Even then, use a low heat setting and take the curtains out while they’re still slightly damp. Overdrying is what causes most of the stubborn creasing.

Hanging curtains while damp often smooths out light creases on its own, especially with cotton or polyester fabrics. A handheld steamer can also be enough to tidy up areas that need a bit of attention.

That said, some fabrics will crease no matter how careful you are. Linen and heavier curtains usually need ironing to look their best.

If ironing is needed, I’ve covered this in detail in my recent post on how to iron curtains. It goes through fabric types, ironing positions, and how to avoid common mistakes.

For most homes, washing curtains every three to six months is enough. This keeps dust, odours, and allergens under control without putting unnecessary wear on the fabric.

You may need to wash them more often if:

• You have pets that shed
• Someone in the home has allergies or asthma
• The curtains are in the kitchen and pick up cooking smells
• Windows are often open near busy roads

Bedroom and living room curtains can usually go longer between washes, especially if the room is well ventilated.

• Washing on hot. Heat is the fastest way to shrink curtains.
• Using too much detergent. This can leave residue and stiff patches.
• Spinning too fast. High spins cause deep creases and fabric strain.
• Overloading the machine. Curtains need room to move.
• Leaving curtains sitting wet in the drum. This leads to creases and damp smells.
• Ignoring the care label and hoping for the best.

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